Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2025
Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Hawaii. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.
Key Takeaways
- Hawaii’s most affordable colleges offer competitive tuition rates along with robust financial aid packages, including grants and scholarships specifically aimed at making education accessible to local students and those from underrepresented backgrounds.
- The colleges in our ranking provide practical, career-oriented degrees in fields like healthcare, business, and technology, helping students quickly enter the workforce with relevant skills while keeping education costs manageable.
- Many of the best affordable colleges in Hawaii offer flexible scheduling and online course options, allowing students to balance work, family, and education, which is especially appealing to working students and those seeking cost-effective ways to complete their degrees.
Top 10 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the most affordable colleges in Hawaii remained fairly stable. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu gained a ranking position as the university introduced several notable improvements aimed at enhancing student experience and academic success. The campus now features an upgraded Digital Media Complex, providing state-of-the-art facilities for creative and technology-focused majors.
Additionally, the university has expanded its sustainability initiatives with a new Environmental Studies program that includes hands-on projects in renewable energy and Hawaiian land stewardship, appealing to students interested in environmental impact. A new career services hub has also been established, connecting students with local businesses for internships and job placements, further preparing them for Hawaii’s workforce.
There are 5 colleges and universities in Hawaii with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Hawaii is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.
Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
- #1 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
62%
Student body
22K
Median SAT/ACT
1180/21
Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Cost of Degree: $12,186Expenses: $20,145Starting Salary: $51,800Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa known for?
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Anthropology
- Political Science
- Biology
- Physics
- Law
- Communications
- Education
- Sociology
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Online Degrees
BA in Economics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Human Relations In Organizations
- Social Sciences Of Oceans
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSW in Social Work
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Women'S, Gender, And Sexuality Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2025 #3 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
42%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1080/18
Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Cost of Degree: $7,838Expenses: $13,584Starting Salary: $41,800Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo known for?
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Physics
- Psychology
- Communications
- Mathematics
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Political Science
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #3 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #5 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
34%
Graduation
66%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1129/22
Career Outlook for degree at Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Cost of Degree: $6,438Expenses: $19,386Starting Salary: $49,100Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Brigham Young University–Hawaii known for?
Brigham Young University–Hawaii’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Physics
- Political Science
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Education
- Mathematics
- History
- Business
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #4 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #6 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Hawaii
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
33%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1110/19
Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
Cost of Degree: $7,584Starting Salary: $41,100What is University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu known for?
University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- General Business
- Accounting
- Hospitality And Tourism
- Management
- Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Public Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Disaster Preparedness And Emergency Management
- Justice Administration
- Community Health
- General Public Administration
- Healthcare Administration
- Long-Term Care
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Social Sciences
Degree Concentrations
- Early Childhood Education
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #7 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Hawaii
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
27%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
Cost of Degree: $3,284Starting Salary: $34,200What is University of Hawaiʻi Maui College known for?
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s Online Degrees
BS in Applied Business And Information Technology
- Required Credits: 121
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
